Many who attended the memorial variety concert for Sir Jon Trimmer at Southwards in May last year were surprised and amazed with the performance of the Celtic singer and musician extraordinaire Steve McDonald.
They were even more surprised to learn that Steve is actually a Kāpiti resident, although he has spent months of most recent years performing to crowds of thousands at music festivals overseas, especially in the United States.
Steve McDonald is a ‘one man band’. He was actually the first New Zealander to both own a synthesizer, and load it for use in performance. That was way back in the 1970s.
Some may remember the ‘Dizzy Limits’ or ‘Timberjack’ , Wellington 1970s bands in which Steve McDonald featured singing and playing drums. Nowadays ‘he performs the lot on his own!’
Kāpiti Coast Grey Power is hosting a concert featuring Steve McDonald at Southwards Theatre on Thursday March 20 at 10am with coffee/tea from 9.30am. KCGP has previously held three-monthly ‘coffee mornings’ at the public facility in Ocean Road, Paraparaumu Beach.
These have over the last two years featured a conversational chat hosted by KCGP President and ex-Kāpiti Deputy Mayor Roger Booth. Guests have included ex-Prime Minister Sir Jim Bolger, ex-Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, television personality Kevin Milne, and ex-nun and NZGP Board member Kilian de Lacy.
However the numbers attending the session featuring local musician Andrew London as the interviewee and performer late last year made it clear that GP audiences had outgrown the Ocean Road facility. And it was also clear that the ‘coffee mornings’ were now of public interest. Upstairs at Southwards is the venue this time.
Roger Booth says Steve McDonald’s life story is a fascinating one. “The chat will be shared with Steve grabbing many moments to illustrate how his musical journey has travelled from a 60s pop singer to his extraordinary ability to use his synthesizer to its limits, alongside featuring both as an active instrumentalist and a Celtic singer.”
There will be no charge for entry, but an opportunity to give koha.
